August: Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Dear Seculars,

DO YOU PRAY THE ANGELUS at midday each day, along with millions of faithful Catholics around the world?

DO YOU know its history, where it originates from and why we pray this much loved prayer?

History tells us… In about 1323, the Bishop of Winchester in England, encouraged his laity to pray the Hail Mary when the daily evening curfew bell rang.

In the 11th century, Monks prayed three Hail Marys during night prayers at the last bell of the day. As time passed, laity were encouraged, when ringing the bell at day’s end, to pray three Hail Marys, especially in England where the Bell became known as the “Gabriel” or “Ave” Bell.

During the invasion of Europe by the Turks in 1456, Pope Calixtus ordered the ringing of the Bell and three Hail Marys at Noon, to pray for peace. The Bell subsequently became known as the “Peace Bell“. By the end of the 16th Century, the Angelus had become the prayer that we know today, having been published in modern form around 1560 in Venice.

Today, the Church invites us to pray the Angelus at the beginning, middle (12 noon) and end of the day. It is a beautiful prayer to commemorate the Annunciation and pay homage to Our Blessed Lady.

We pray it at noon, for Peace in our hearts and throughout the world.